COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Health Department

 

DATE:

December 27, 2007

BOARD MEETING DATE:

January 8, 2008

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

None

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department

 

Gail Raabe, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

   

SUBJECT:

Adopt a Resolution amending the fee schedule for the Agricultural Commissioner

 

RECOMMENDATION:

Adopt a Resolution amending the fee schedule for the Agricultural Commissioner.

 

VISION ALIGNMENT:

Commitment: Responsive, effective and collaborative government.

Goal 20: Government decisions are based on careful consideration of future impact, rather than temporary relief or immediate gain.

 

These fee increases contribute to the commitment and goal by maintaining a proper relationship between costs and revenues and by assuring that those who use County services pay the cost of providing those services.

 

Performance Measure:

Measure

FY 2006-07
Actual

FY 2007-08
Projected

Percent of pest control businesses in compliance with all pesticide regulatory requirements

97%

97%

 

BACKGROUND:

Structural pest control companies are licensed by the state Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB) in three categories: fumigation (Branch 1), general pests (Branch 2), and non-fumigation wood destroying pests (Branch 3). Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) section 15204 previously authorized Boards of Supervisors to set a fee of up to $10.00 for structural pest control business annual notification to Agricultural Commissioners. On June 19, 2007, your board authorized Resolution 068819, approving the current agricultural program fee schedule. Recent State legislation, eliminates the annual notification requirement, creates new annual registration requirements, and changes the authorized fee structure effective January 1, 2008.

 

DISCUSSION:

The proposed fee schedule amendments concern structural pest control annual registration fees. AB1717 amends FAC section 15204 regarding general pest control and non-fumigation wood-destroying pest control businesses and adds FAC section 15204.5 which is specific to fumigation companies. As of January 1, 2008, structural pest control businesses and certain structural pest control licensees must register with the Agricultural Commissioner each calendar year. Fumigation businesses will now be required to provide the names of employees licensed to perform fumigations. These new registration requirements will provide Agricultural Commissioners with a greater awareness of all persons and companies engaging in structural pest control within the county. The FAC amendments also establish maximum annual registration fees that may be set by the Board of Supervisors. The fees will cover the business and all licensed persons listed on the registration form. The maximum initial annual registration fees authorized are $10.00 for general pest and non-fumigation wood-destroying pest control operations and $25.00 for fumigation businesses. A registration amendment fee of $10.00 is also authorized. Following the initial registration, companies may have to amend their registrations to add licensed employees. The Division is proposing that your Board adopt the maximum fees authorized. Santa Clara, Alameda and Contra Costa counties all plan to propose this new fee structure during 2008.

Effective January 1, 2008, county authority to charge an annual structural notification fee will cease along with the notification requirement. Although this notification has been eliminated, the new statute allows your Board to establish an annual registration fee to support the cost of processing structural pest control business registrations. If the Board does not adopt the new registration fee, structural pest control businesses would no longer pay an annual fee to the Division. The fee schedule has been amended to distinguish agricultural from structural pest control businesses (Section c) and substitute “notification” fees with registration fees (Section i). The proposed resolution has been reviewed and approved by County Counsel.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

The proposed fee schedule will have minimal impact on Division revenue. The annual fee will remain at $10.00 for most structural pest control businesses. Eleven fumigation companies would pay an annual registration fee of $25.00. Additional revenue may be realized from the registration amendment fee. The Division estimates a maximum revenue increase of $500. This revenue has not been included in the Division’s FY 2007-08 Adopted Budget. There is no Net County Cost associated with this Resolution.